Her Fearful Symmetry

I just finished an advance reading copy of Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. I should begin by saying that The Time Traveler's Wife is my favorite book. I have loaned it... and lost it... many times. It's one of those books that begs to passed on and lost track of. I like to think that my very first copy is sitting somewhere on a bedside table with stained pages, turned down corners, and tiny notes scrawled in the margins. Well read, well enjoyed, and ready to continue its journey.

I have been savoring Her Fearful Symmetry for several days. The story is full of family, friendship, love, and dysfunction. Elspeth Noblin has died, but her spirit lives on in her flat. Despite being quite dead, Elspeth manages to influence the lives of her nieces and her lover in ways that are not always entirely favorable.

I hesitate to explain, because I don't want to take away one moment of a potential readers' uncertainty, discomfort, hesitation, curiosity, and ultimately complete and utter enjoyment of the ride. I couldn't stop reading, yet I wanted it to last. I hope it has the same effect on you.

In fact, I'm planning to loan this book to one of my close friends. I expect that, after she reads it, she'll ask if I mind if she passes it on to someone else who is curious about it. I will probably never see my copy again... I can only hope that Elspeth's ghost continues to entrance all who read it, and that I somehow win another copy. Oh, and if I do happen to obtain a signed copy by some fearful twist of fate, it will not meet a similar end. Despite the loss of symmetry, that one will stay by my bed - well read, enjoyed thoroughly, with tiny notes in the margins - a sign of a truly beloved book.

For more on Her Fearful Symmetry, watch for my entry in the audioforbooks.com blog of new releases this week.

My Vision for the FWJ Logo

Where Were You on 9/11/01?

I was at home with my 4 year old son watching PBS. The plumber came to the door to work on our bathroom and asked if I had seen the news - something was going on. I turned the TV to NBC.

What we witnessed, my little boy, the plumber, and I, looked more like a scene from a disaster movie than reality. I suppose it was that my mind was unable to process that this was happening. Here. In the USA. The safest country in the world.

I did my best to control my fear, anxiety, and horror. 4 year olds can pick up on so much. I couldn't keep the tears at bay. The plumber stood in shock next to my chair.

By the time the second tower fell, I was on the phone with the school. My other two children were there. My instinct was fear for their safety. I was assured that security was tight and the kids were safe. I resisted the urge to pick them up. We don't live near a major city. They would be as safe at school as at home... but I waited anxiously all day to see them.

I tried to explain to them, at ages 7 and 9, what had happened because I knew that they would hear about it at school. The teachers had managed to keep the news from them so that families could discuss it first. It's tough to be reassuring when you don't feel secure.

So today we mourn... whether we witnessed it live or on television... whether we knew someone who was lost or not... we all mourn for the dead... and for our innocent belief that we are safe.

Unnecessary Punctuation

I was driving home from the dentist when I happened to notice this bar:

Don't unnecessary apostrophes tick you off?

Teen = Angst

If you are unfamiliar with the equation, chances are you don't have any teenage children and I envy you. Every decision, every consequence, every discussion, and every relationship is fraught with angst. It's exhausting to watch.

Take my son. Well, don't really take him, he's a good kid and I'll keep him, but check out this example... He is signed up for 4 advanced courses for his 10th grade year. He came to me and said that he would like to drop AP World History.

Now, this particular course has already caused us undue stress. It is a two year sequence and the teacher insists upon using homework questions based on a textbook. A textbook that is NOT the textbook she has provided to the students. And the answers don't seem to be in the classnotes either. Last year we spent approximately 12,346 hours looking for answers to very precise questions based on text that we had no access to.

Anyway, he is going to take IB PreCalc, Honors English, and Physics. I have no problem with him dropping the class. None. I showed no resistance. I offered to contact the guidance department to try to figure out what he needs to take in place of the class from hell.

And yet... he continues to bring it up. It's as if he expected me to argue it with him so keeps stating his points. I've tried everything. So now I am just riding his wave of angst. I suppose once his schedule is changed it will end. Or he will get an ambiguous text from some girl that will redirect his angst to some intense social issue.

Maybe I'll just take a picture of him and caption it "Got Angst?"

What I Have Learned as a Freelance Writer - Tip #1

I have been freelance writing for about 3 months. The journey has been interesting... at times frustrating... but ultimately rewarding. I am constantly learning new things about this business and plan to share them here - both as a reminder to myself and to help others.

Tip #1

Find a reputable freelance site.

I currently receive most of my work through Elance.com. I scour the freelance listings online, but Elance provides tons of perks. Most jobs there have reasonable budgets. You have the ability to review the buyers' award ratio, thereby deciding whether to spend the time bidding on a job listed by someone who has listed 10 and awarded only 1. There are downsides: paying for 'connects' to bid on jobs and backend fees, but the benefits to new freelancers are worth it.

Elance offers escrow so that you know that the money has been allocated for your job and will be available upon completion. The Water Cooler forum is frequented by experienced freelancers who are willing to help out with advice as well as Elance personnel who try to respond to issues.

Elance has tons of positives and is well worth the few negatives, especially for freelancers who are new and looking for a way to learn the business.

Looking for me? I'm on Elance.

Public Market Adventure From the Verge

We took the kids to the Public Market today. My thinking was that it would be a fun adventure... they thought it would be a great chance to suck the fun out of the day.

The complaints began on the way to the Market. They were carsick. They were bored. They were generally unhappy. Once we arrived, they were hot, thirsty and (you guessed it) unhappy.

My youngest had an excuse. He's on crutches for this:

2 fractures in his left ankle. The distal tibia and fibula are both fractured at the growth plates. I know, ouch, right?

But he complained less than his brothers. They were texting and complaining. All. Morning. Long.

They even complained during smoothies, empanadas, and fried dough. Nobody should complain while eating fried dough. It's just not right.

Unfortunately for them I was unmoved by their crabbiness. I bought 2 designer knockoff purses for $80 and a cute top for $10. I moved on to trail mixes, bread, scones, veggies, fruit and pierogies.

Next time hubby and I will go to the Public Market alone... unless I feel the need to torture my children by feeding them delicious junk and giving them money to buy stuff again. *sigh* There's just no satisfying some people.

Beware, Parents!

I'll make this one straightforward and to the point:

If your child's school balks at showing parents the curriculum something is VERY wrong.

Another Cryptic Clue

Yesterday I returned home to yet another cryptic clue on my doorstep. I will try to add the photo later, it's on my phone, but here's what it was:

Two of my pots were moved. The geranium was on the step with a lightbulb resting in the dirt. Next to this was a small melon. Lastly a cookie in a plastic container with a small square of butter on top.

I don't know what it means or who is doing it, but quite frankly I am finding it annoying and tiresome. So - do I set up a sting or leave a nasty note?

A Bad Week

My youngest son had saved for months for a new skateboard. Last week he finally got it. $125 worth of danger.

Three days after his purchase I spent $125 on an emergency room visit. He has broken his ankle in two places.

Ironic? Annoying.

What Does This Mean????

After a long day at my mother's house on Sunday, I came home to a mystery on my doorstep. Sitting in neat little row, were the following items:

A lightbulb, a pineapple, and a lemon in a plastic container with a piece of taffy on top of the container.

A brief survey of likely culprits did not yield any answers. In true OCD fashion, I have been ruminating on the meaning for the last two days. This is what I have come up with...

*It's dark in Spongebob's house and his lemonade needs sweetening

*Get an idea - you're welcome to my candy as long as you aren't sour

*Here's a thought. You're prickly on the outside and sweet on the inside... or sweet on the outside and sour on the inside.

*I'm screwing with your head.

I think the last one is the most likely. Of course, I'm not entirely sure who the cryptic message was aimed at - me, one of my kids, hubby, or the whole family.

I wish I had taken a picture before I threw the whole thing away... I could have shared it with you... or the police... huh.

Freelance Work is Ramping Up!!!

My first audiobook column is up at: Audiobooks as Privacy Tools

I just landed a job writing a fun, scary story/article for an award winning Halloween Haunted House AND my first ebook on making malasadas!!!

Exciting day!!

Expanding My Interests...

I am trying to find out how to obtain ARC or other promotional books/materials to offer as online giveaways for this blog. I am an avid reader and would love to share books with others through this site...

Interest?

Changing Careers - How Did I Get Here?

My biggest mistake was changing majors in college. I was an English major, hoping to teach HS English. I love reading and writing, so this was a good fit. Unfortunately, the outlook for employment was bleak. I considered my options and for some idiotic reason (to get a car so I could see my boyfriend more regularly) I chose to move to a community college and go into nursing. The outcome was a series of stressful jobs that I disliked... and a husband that I love.

After the birth of our first child, we decided that I would stay home with the kids. I'll go into my volunteer exploits later... But when my youngest reached first grade, I began to substitute in the school system. I knew that I wanted to work, yet be home when my kids were home. This was the best of both worlds, right? Wrong. The pay was awful and the job was worse. I dreaded that daily call and the stomach churning anxiety of walking into an unfamiliar class.

I decided to get certified as a Teaching Assistant and pursue a regular job. I managed to find one... but the full time hours were absolutely awful. I was stressed all the time, running from work to home to delivering kids to activities, to cooking, to cleaning, to feeling like I couldn't keep up. To top it off, work was miserable. You know when you get paired with that person who just doesn't appreciate you? Yeah, I was with her. It became unbearable all around, so I quit.

With this economy and my clunker van needing frequent repair, I knew I needed to do something- but what? With the guidance of an incredibly kind friend, I found Elance and began freelance writing about 2 months ago. I started with small jobs and found that I am actually quite good at this! My goal is to find some regular clients so I can count on the income.

I have just accepted my first long-term job posting for an audio book website. I will put a link here after I ask permission from the site owner... I don't think he'll mind!

I welcome any and all advice on learning the ropes of freelancing. I am constantly searching the web for resources. If you have any leads for me, post a comment!

The Freelance Lag

I am sitting here obsessively looking for my next freelancing gig. I'm bidding on projects, but nothing has come through for me just yet. This is the tough part... the waiting.

I've been freelancing for about two months and have been working pretty steadily, so hopefully something will come up soon!!!

I love to write. I live to write. I want to write. Somebody hire me.

RIP Pop Culture Icons

Yesterday we lost two pop culture icons: Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. I am saddened that MJ's death is overshadowing FF.

Yes, Jackson was a musical genius. He was also a strange, questionably insane and very possibly criminal individual. Yet he is the face dominating the news today. How many magazine covers will feature him with a tiny pic of Farrah in the corner?

Farrah Fawcett shared her fight with cancer, encouraging the public with her bravery in the face of a horrible disease. She was inspiring, but her death is overshadowed. How sad.

The Graduate

My youngest graduates from 6th grade today. This is not his first graduation, mind you. In fact it seems that every time I turn around he is graduating from something. What is going on with schools today? Why dilute high school graduation by graduating them from so many other things?

So far he has graduated from preschool, kindergarten, and DARE. By the time he gets to his high school graduation I will be tempted to give it a good eyeroll and a "been there done that" sigh! Why do kids need a ceremony every time they reach a mini-milestone? Can't we just give them a hug and tell them they did a great job? Can't I go back to bed this morning instead of sitting in a hot, stuffy auditorium watching kids clomp across a stage to claim their "diploma"? Apparently not.

So I have to go get dressed - in grown up clothes - and head out. Don't worry... because I love him, I will be grinning and clapping like the rest of the other parents who are also sighing and wishing they were in bed...

The New Beginning

Recently, I left a job that made me extremely unhappy. With the support of my wonderful husband, I am using this as an opportunity to do something that I love: writing.

I have begun freelancing on elance.com with pretty good results. I am still learning the ropes and paying my dues. My goal is to find a client with whom I can build a long term relationship and steady work.

I will be re-posting some of my blog posts from a previous collaboration as well as new entries. I hope to make this a resource for prospective clients to see my work... or maybe I'll just complain here... who knows?